Was I the only one who didn’t know what to do with only two NBA Playoffs games on Tuesday? Not having games at 1:30 PM ET just seems weird now. But we’ll take what we can get, and that was another incredible battle between Jamal Murray and Donovan Mitchell. Also, Playoff P arrived in the bubble just in time to save the Clippers. Let’s take a look back:
Murray, Denver Defense Keep Series Alive
Count me as one of the people who didn’t see that coming.
And Jamal Murray will get his credit here, but let’s start with the reason Denver pulled this series to 3-2, defense. Yes, Denver’s defense won that game.
Entering Game 5 of the Nuggets vs. Jazz series, Denver had one of the worst defensive ratings in NBA Playoffs history. Utah was averaging 125.5 PPG in the first four games of the series. In Game 5, the Nuggets held them to just 107 points, winning 117-107.
Denver came out with a different sense of urgency on the defensive end Tuesday night that started with Jerami Grant. Grant hounded Donovan Mitchell from the start of the game and made every single possession and shot when he was guarding Mitchell tough. Mitchell had another 30 points in the game, but Grant’s pressure kept him in check until late in the second half.
Michael Malone’s adjustments were a crucial part of this defensive resurgence as well. It’s well documented that Nikola Jokic is a bad defender, particularly in the pick and roll. But after four games getting torched by Mitchell, Malone realized they couldn’t just let Jokic drop back in pick and rolls anymore. Despite Jokic getting into foul trouble, the Nuggets having their big man play up in pick and rolls made Mitchell’s shots tougher and forced the other Jazz players to beat them. Denver also did an excellent job in the second half of throwing multiple defenders at Mitchell and trapping pick and rolls. It was easily one of Denver’s best defensive games of the year.
Now let’s talk about Jamal Murray.
Jamal Murray scores 42, bests Donovan Mitchell in Yet Another Duel
The story of this series entering Game 5 was absolutely Donovan Mitchell, who was averaging 39 PPG entering the potential closeout game. But there’s no doubt, Jamal Murray has taken over the conversation.
After dropping 50 in a Game 4 losing effort, Murray came back with 42 in Game 5, 33 of which came in the second half. He’s now averaging 30.8 PPG in the series. And don’t forget, in Game 1 when Donovan Mitchell dropped 57 points, Murray had 36 of his own in Denver’s other win in the series.
It’s not just scoring either. In Games 4 and 5, Murray has 92 points, 19 rebounds, 15 assists, and 0 turnovers. Suddenly Jamal Murray looks like he has an argument for the best player in this series.
I admittedly didn’t expect this performance from Murray in this game. After his 36 point performance in Game 1, Murray had 14 and 12 back-to-back. That was more the performance I was expecting. Murray proved me completely wrong. No matter what happens next, he has a fan in me.
Michael Malone’s defensive end adjustments were great in Game 5, let’s see if he adjusts on the offensive end in Game 6. Murray and Jokic pick and rolls have been almost unstoppable in this series, but Denver hasn’t been going to them until late. Perhaps it’s time to go to that two-man game early in Game 6 to attempt to play from ahead.
Paul George Explodes for 35 Points in Blowout Win
“To be honest in hindsight, If I shoot the ball better, this series would be a lot different.”
Those were Paul George’s words after the Clippers Game 4 loss that tied their series with the Mavericks 2-2. It seemed obvious at the time, but the way George was playing in the NBA Playoffs, it felt like it would never happen. George’s words were not only right, but they came true in Game 5.
George went off for 35 points after entering Game 5 averaging 15 PPG in the series. Before Tuesday night, George’s play got so bad that fans started a petition to make him play basketball overseas. Yes, that’s a real thing. Whether the motivation was internal or he fed off the twitter hate, George looked like the star the Clippers knew they had. And like he said, it’s a different series now.
The entire Clippers team looked like they were out to make a statement. They came out with more energy and fight from the start. Even the Clippers bench was loud and celebrating from start to finish in this one.
As for Dallas, they were without Kristaps Porzingis for another game. And Luka Doncic looks like maybe Game 4 took a lot out of him, rightfully so. Doncic’s banged up ankle seemed to be bothering him, and despite finishing with 22 points, he seemed a bit slow. Ultimately for the first time in this series, it looked like a 2-seed was playing against a 7-seed, and the final scored indicated it, 154-111.
I never expected this series to be tied heading into Game 5. So while it would be easy to look at this performance and say it’s definitely over, I’m not ready to count Luka and the Mavs out completely. But I’m close.
For even more breakdown of the NBA Playoffs, listen to the NBA Morning Deuce, Belly Up Sports’ newest Daily NBA Podcast. The deuce covers everything you need to know from the night and day before in the association. Episodes are available by 6 am Monday through Friday where you listen to podcasts.
